Only Fools tower block to be demolished

The tower block which was used as the setting for the iconic sitcom Only Fools and Horses is to be demolished to make way for new flats.

Harlech Tower, which was used to portray the outside of the fictional Nelson Mandela House where Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter and his family lived, is to be torn down.

The block is actually in the West London suburb of Ealing, although Nelson Mandela House was set 13 miles away in Peckham, south east London.

It is part of Acton Gardens, formerly known as the South Acton Estate, which has been undergoing redevelopment since 2012.

Ealing Council granted outline planning permission for 1,950 homes in December, with more than 3,000 planned for the future.

Part of the regeneration will see Harlech Tower demolished.

About half the new homes will be sold to private buyers and the rest are earmarked for affordable housing for the estate's 5,000 existing residents.

The homes are being built 'tenure blind' with new private owners living next to council tenants.

By the time the homes are finished in the mid-2020s, they are expected to be worth about £1 billion.

Barton Willmore, who secured planning permission on behalf of Acton Gardens LLP, said it was a "major step forward" for the redevelopment.

Bob McCurry, planning director, said: "The council's resolution to grant planning permission for this exemplar scheme not only heralds a milestone in the continued regeneration of this area, but also means we are a step closer to delivering new homes for 8,000 people and helping to provide a large proportion of the Borough's affordable housing provision."

Mark Ludlow of Acton Gardens LLP, added: "We genuinely welcome Ealing Council's decision which enables us to create more affordable and private homes at Acton Gardens, without comprising on quality, design and public amenities.